Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that for the first time more than 50% of people in the North West are now working from home, largely as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The change in working patterns is having a knock on effect on the way we live with more people looking for dedicated work-space at home and an increased trend in three storey living.
Gemma Schofield, MD of Lifestyle Interiors one of the region’s leading interior designers, comments: “We’re finding that the pandemic and the restrictions it brings is influencing the way we live. We’re seeing a significant demand for homes to be restyled in a way that allows working from home and a dedicated living and working space. This is more easily achieved with homes that have flexible space and that utilise the space available – such as the attic space.”
One such popular three storey house is Miller Homes’ Tolkien house type, found at Beacon Park in Catterall. It is proving to be popular with house hunters needing to work from home. The house welcomes guests into a spacious hallway that leads to an open light and airy lounge and ultimately through to a kitchen diner with double doors out into the garden.
The deceptively large home offers a spacious landing on the first floor with a double bedroom covering the entire back of the house. A family bathroom is accessed from the landing and a third bedroom or office space is conveniently located with a large window at the front of the house. A clever positioned staircase leads to the second floor and a large master bedroom with an en-suite bringing a distinctive sense of peaceful seclusion.
Clare Noakes, Sales Director at Miller Homes in the North West adds: “The design makes three story homes the perfect ‘forever’ family home, as the layout can adapt and change to reflect lifestyles. The house type is popular with those with children as there is space for them to grow while keeping your own privacy. We are however finding that the flexible space is increasingly popular with young professionals wanting to work from home in their own dedicated space.”
To help home buyers secure their dream home, there are a range of financial schemes available including: Help To Buy which allows potential first time buyers looking to buy a new home in the North West of England up to £224,400. The Government-backed Help to Buy scheme is designed to help buyers with just a 5% deposit apply for an additional 20% equity loan from the Government, meaning that they only need to secure up to a 75% mortgage from a bank or building society.
Finance expert Andrew Manion, director of RSC New Homes, comments: “We are seeing a surge in enquiries for Help to Buy as the scheme is designed to genuinely assist First Time Buyers to purchase a new build property using an equity loan of up to 20%. Buyers not only secure their dream home in a more financially affordable way but also benefit from all the energy efficiency features that come with a new build home.”
For more information on Miller Homes or the other incentive schemes it offers including: Recommend a Friend, Deposit Match, Family Deposit and Assisted Move visit one of the company’s marketing suites which are open Thursday to Monday between 10.30am and 5.30pm. To find out more about the Tolkien house type at Beacon Park, call 03300 377 155 or visit https://www.millerhomes.co.uk/new-homes/north-west/beacon-park-catterall
